Funtana
About this place
Funtana is a small Istrian settlement between Poreč and Vrsar, with visitor life stretching from the village core to the indented coast between Zelena Laguna and Valkanela. Its most distinctive family attraction is Dinopark Funtana, opened in 2009, with moving dinosaur models and the indoor Dino Dome arena. The waterfront offers a different rhythm, with campsites, coves and developed coastal areas that can be combined with walking towards Vrsar. Funtana is not a destination built around a long checklist of monumental buildings; its strength lies in short distances between the sea, restaurants and family attractions. The village name is associated with water springs, a theme also presented among local visitor experiences. Day trips naturally extend north to Poreč or south to Vrsar and Lim Bay. It works particularly well as a quieter base than Poreč while keeping the main sights of western Istria within easy reach.
Funtana sits on Istria’s west coast along the Poreč–Vrsar road, while its shoreline extends between Zelena Laguna and Valkanela. The local tourist board links the settlement with a long camping tradition, holiday villages and an unusually dense concentration of places to eat for its size. Unlike nearby Poreč, Funtana does not revolve around one large historic centre; a day here is more naturally divided between the coast, the village and excursions towards Vrsar. Local identity is also connected with water springs, a theme reflected in the settlement’s name and in visitor experiences promoted locally.
Stays nearby
ApartmentApartmeni Klenovica.eu
Klenovica
98 km from Funtana
up to 4 guests · 1 bedroom
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Things to see
Dinopark Funtana is the village’s most distinctive family attraction. Opened in 2009, it occupies a wooded setting with a rocky backdrop and combines moving dinosaur models, rides and the air-conditioned Dino Dome arena with about one thousand seats. For an experience unrelated to the theme park, local tourism material highlights Funtana’s springs and the Funtana–Vrsar walking route. This makes it practical to spend one part of the day at an organised attraction and another by the sea or walking towards neighbouring Vrsar, without committing to a long drive.
Beaches
Bernardina is the convenient choice near the village, roughly 700 metres from the centre. Its rocky and pebbly sections are accompanied by beach volleyball, an inflatable water park, lounger rental and parking. Farther north, Bijela Uvala is a public Blue Flag beach beside the campsite of the same name, with nearby sports facilities, shops and places to eat; the resort also has four pools. Bring a mask here, as the rocky shoreline shelters sponges, small shoaling fish and striking sea slugs among algae-covered formations. Puntica, opposite Funtana’s fishing harbour and marina, provides a quieter combination of pebbles, paved sunbathing areas and pine greenery.
Bijela uvala
Beach · Funtana
Bijela uvala is a Blue Flag beach at a campsite near Funtana, with rocky shore sections and small pebble coves.
Things to do
Begin in Funtana’s fishing harbour, then follow the waterfront towards Puntica and Bernardina, a mixed pebble-and-rock beach about 700 metres from the centre. Cyclists can continue on Route 192, which links Funtana and Dinopark with Dušan Džamonja’s sculpture park outside Vrsar. A more demanding alternative is the 27-kilometre Faragude–Kontija loop, including almost 23 kilometres of gravel. Later, head north to Bijela Uvala for a swim and a snorkel beside large algae-covered rocks, where sponges, small fish and colourful sea slugs inhabit the shallows. Return through the village for dinner around Istarska or Ribarska Street, where much of Funtana’s restaurant scene is concentrated.
Food and drink
Funtana packs an unusually broad choice of taverns into the streets around its small centre and harbour. Konoba Bare in Kamenarija serves grilled fish, homemade pasta, veal and truffle dishes, while More on Antice Gašparini Street has traded since 1979 with a focus on seafood and Istrian flavours. Bokoon inside Valamar Camping Istra is useful for campers seeking traditional cooking and local wines without returning to the village centre. The breadth of the local scene was showcased during the 2026 Funtanjanski Gušti festival, held from 25 May to 3 June, when Bare, Bocca, Bokoon, Delfin, More, Tonia and Oscar offered menus featuring fish, handmade pasta, prosciutto, asparagus and olive oil.
Practical information
Practical information
Funtana’s tourist office is at Bernarda Borisia 2 and is the best local stop for maps, cycling routes, beach information and event details. The destination’s official website places the usual swimming season between May and October, although many waterfront services follow the summer operating periods of the campsites. Its practical directory includes local taxi contacts and details for the bus stations in Poreč and Vrsar; timetables for the Vrsar–Funtana–Poreč service are posted at stops and tourist resorts. The Istria tourism portal also provides guidance for snorkelling at Bijela Uvala and directs visitors to the Funtana Tourist Board for local conditions and advice.
Getting there and around
Funtana sits on the local bus corridor between Poreč and Vrsar, with current departure times posted at stops and in the tourist resorts. Arriva runs several daily services between the two terminal towns; the full 11-kilometre journey takes about 15 minutes, so passengers should select a departure that calls at Funtana. The nearest full bus stations are in Poreč and Vrsar. Air passengers normally arrive through Pula Airport, while the closest railway options are Kanfanar, about 20 kilometres away, and Pazin, around 39 kilometres away. Marina Funtana provides the maritime arrival point, and the tourist office publishes contacts for local taxis.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Dinopark Funtana?
Dinopark is in Funtana between Poreč and Vrsar, in a wooded area above the coast.
Can you walk from Funtana to Vrsar?
Yes. Local tourism material specifically highlights the Funtana–Vrsar walking route.
Is Funtana close to Poreč?
Yes. Funtana lies south of Poreč on the road towards Vrsar.
What is the Dino Dome?
The Dino Dome is Dinopark Funtana’s air-conditioned arena with about one thousand seats.
What can you visit near Funtana?
Related guides
Poreč
Organise the stay around the distinction between the centre and the wider holiday area. In the centre, a cultural visit can form part of a walk, while beaches, excursions and additional…
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Photo credits
- Funtana — Tanya Dedyukhina · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Vrsar — Ekaterina Polischuk · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Poreč — Hobe / Holger Behr · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
- Apartmeni Klenovica.eu — Apartmani Klenovica.eu · courtesy of the property owner
- Pula — Orlovic · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Novigrad
